Mystery object quiz 495a pt (ii)

So….

This boat that’s being left to rot has more connection with aviation than the bizare torpeado boat and submarine wreckage on full, covered display at Duxford?

Duxford is the Imperial War Museum, not the Imperial Aircraft Museum.

Yup.

But it would take thousands of pounds and hours to rebuild. Do that rather than one or two other a/c? (dilemas…)

So….

This boat that’s being left to rot has more connection with aviation than the bizare torpeado boat and submarine wreckage on full, covered display at Duxford?

Sorry.

I wasn’t being clear – the IWM example is just the hull, no deck or hatches. Being a lifeboat, the boat originally (as the RAFM example) was a watertight body, topped off by a deck with some hatches inset to small compartments. All the ‘guts’ and the deck of the IWM example are missing.

Cheers

Decking?

Do you think it had a decking? All the hatches inside appeared to be well secured and marked “Water 15X Tins, Cigs 5X Pkts” etc and so were all the tools/ keel etc. Not sure if I’d want to bugger about udoing a top to all these delights after being adrift for a couple of days.

Hi Tank,
Thanks for that. Slightly better nick eh? Note the ‘tail’ missing on the IWM example, and the deck (also missing).

The Hendon One

Thsi is the first time I’ve tried to attach anything to this site but here goes anyway! Appologise if it goes wrong and the poor quality.

Hi Dennis,
I rather agree – it wouldn’t take much to put it under cover, and stop some of the deterioration.

On the other hand, it’s been very heavilly modified. Much of the wood is past saving, anf I suspect it’s an unwanted donation, that they don’t know what to do with, and in terms of restoration time ‘not worth restoring’… (Just my guess!)

The RAF Mausoleum has a complete and well presented example. Someone mentioned Brooklands has one, and there may be others – anyone?

What a Bloody shame to see it in this condition, many aircrew were saved by boats like this. I suppose that everything cannot be preserved with limited time and funds though, looks like the skip would be more bouyant at the moment 😉

No, it won’t float now. And if you throw it hard enough, all you’ll get are bits!

It was almost certainly named ‘Centepede’ by a subsequent owner. After ‘demob’ they made very popular boats for sailing – very seaworthy. This one has been modefied with a single screw setup rather than the original twin engine twin screw arrangement (I think)

But James, it’s a blinking boat with a load of blinking holes in it…that thing never flew! 🙁

It will fly if you throw it hard enough.

The problem is, will it float?

Melv

I refer the right hon gentleman to my Avatar.

I failed skool. Nigel’s spelling is mine own.

The history of the Airbourne lifeboat is fascinating stuff.

Will you guys stop putting the gratuitous ‘u’ in ‘airborne’?

I caught Key at it last week, now you’ve all started. 😡

Moggy

More likely this was a Centipede carrier: Vickers Warwick

Better now James? I found it on a page in that orientation and I’ve just tried every other option but it still doesn’t quite look right.

Glad to help Ashley! 😎

Archer…I’ve been here three years and have often wondered exactly what the Centipede was (other than a boat!) and what she was intended for…this thread has cleared the mystery up for me, thank you!

Last pic is upside down (thanks for finding them though!)

What is not evident is the holes in the bow were for firing two more chutes for stabilising on the way down.

Morley…it’s on the north side at Duxford (the non public side) If you’ve ever parked in the field behind the Officers’ Mess, it’s behind the giant green shed there.

James…you’re quite right, it should be under cover…sadly it’s been like that since I joined the IWM 3 years ago…I knew there was some connection with a designer, and had been told it was Mr Mitchell, but that may well have been because he was the only designer my informant could think of!

(Or did it fly IN something…)

Not IN Ashley, UNDERNEATH!

(I know, it’s not a Wellington, but the system should be similar and I couldn’t find any other photos!)

Well looking at the background it’s in a carpark.